Flood Insurance Information

Homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding in any zone. A separate policy for flood is needed. Flood insurance is an important tool to protect your property from flood risks. Coverage may be purchased for building and contents or just contents. Talk to you insurance agent to find out your options and what what works best for you.

FLOOD INSURANCE COVERAGE (coverage limits set by FEMA October 2017)

Basic Coverage Limits

Additional Insurance Limits

Total Insurance Limits

Building Coverage

Single Family

$60,000

$190,000

$250,000

Two-to Four Family

$60,000

$190,000

$250,000

Other Residential

$175,000

$75,000

$250,000

Small Business

$175,000

$325,000

$500,000

Contents Coverage

Residential

$25,000

$75,000

$100,000

Non-residential/Small Business

$150,000

$350,000

$500,000

GENERAL GUIDANCE ON FLOOD INSURANCE COVERAGE(Source: FEMA October 2017)

Building Coverage

Contents

What’s Not Covered

Building and foundation

Clothing and furniture

Cash, precious metals

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems

Curtains

Landscaping

Refrigerators, stoves, built-in appliances

Window HVACs

Hot tubs and pools

Permanently installed carpets over unfinished floor

Portable microwaves

Temporary housing

Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, bookcases

Washers and dryers

Septic systems

Window blinds

Freezers/food in them

Fences

Debris removal

Artwork up to $2500

Vehicles

FLOOD INSURANCE COSTS and RATING FACTORS

There are many factors that affect the cost of a flood insurance policy. Here are some items that affect how flood insurance costs are determined.

ARE YOU IN A FLOOD ZONE? If the property is located in a flood zone, then the cost of flood insurance will reflect the flood zone designation for the property. Properties in low-risk X zones or Shaded X zones generally have lower flood insurance rates. Some X zone properties may qualify for a preferred risk policy (PRP). Properties in AE zones, AO zones and VE zones will be higher in cost due to the higher risk associated with these flood zones. VE zones are the highest risk zones and may have higher flood insurance rates.

HAS THE ZONE CHANGED? If the flood zone designation for your property has changed, talk to your insurance agent about what impacts the new designation may have on your insurance rate. If your property has changed from a higher risk zone to a lower risk zone, you may experience decreased flood insurance costs. Please contact your insurance agent to discuss your options.

ELEVATE TO MITIGATE The elevation of the first floor of living area directly impacts the cost of flood insurance. If the first floor is below the base flood elevation, then your insurance rate will be significantly higher. Elevation of structures is the preferred construction technique on the Outer Banks to mitigate flood risks. Older, existing homes can be raised to mitigate flood risks. Equipment, such as the HVAC unit, should also be elevated to the applicable base flood elevation for costs savings.

ENCLOSED AREAS Areas located below the base flood elevation are limited to use for parking, access and storage. All construction materials used in areas below the base flood must be flood resistant materials. A list of flood resistant materials can be found at OBXfloodmaps.com.

ELEVATE TO MITIGATE!

1 Foot = 30% Reduction

An elevation of 1 foot above the base flood elevation may result in significant savings in flood insurance premiums. Elevating a home above the base flood is the best way to reduce the cost of your annual flood insurance premiums (Source: FEMA October 2017)